Neal Adams Brave and Bold 86 page from 1969

Welcome 2012.

I've been distracted with life since my last post. But I have been browsing original art on eBay again since late last year and noticing original art price trends seem to be going upwards slightly. Am I reading this properly? If so, forget the banks. I'm investing in original comic book art. Case in point...

The post I'd like to share today is a sweet early Neal Adams Brave and Bold 86 page 4 that sold today. Iconic Neal Adams Batman in the top pane and gotta love the irregular shaped panels. This page is just so clean in layout makes me wish I bid a tad more. All Neal Adams artwork.

According to the auction description, this page was purchased from Heritage for $3107.00 in Nov 2011. Couple hundred bucks profit in a few months. :)

UPDATE 3/12/2012: Just saw this same page for sale on an art dealer site for $6500.00 this morning.

UPDATE 8/4/2012:  Artwork is still available for sale for $6500.  Great looking page though.

Neal Adams X-Men 61 original comic book art page

Doesn't get much more rare than a Neal Adams X-Men page, and no less than from issue 61! X-Men 61 page 18. This page feaures Sauron battling the X-Men team including Cyclops, Iceman, Beast and Marvel Girl!

This auction completed and the original artwork sold for $8,000.00 with 38 bids.

Buscema Silver Surfer #4 Cover Recreation

Here's something you don't see often. A recreation of the cover to Silver Surfer #4 penciled and inked by the late great John Buscema. This is a classic cover image depicting the surfer coming down against Thor. The seller says that these recreations go in the range of $2500.00 - $3500.00. I actually believe this one will exceed this estimate. How often do you see these recreations become available and if you do, how much will it cost to get it out of the owner's hands? With early Sal Buscema artwork already fetching higher prices due to the great work he had done, I think collector's are coming around to these "old school" masters of the comic book medium. Sure, everyone talks about the Romita's, the Kirby's and Gene Colan's, and of course Neal Adams should get a lot of respect. It is long past due, that John and Sal Buscema original artwork will start to pick up in value and become more collected. Just a hunch, but look for it in the coming year+ if not already.

Flash #226, page 5 Neal Adams $3800+

Here's a nice page that actually might have been a bargain at $3837.77. Don't think so? Neal Adam's Green Lantern art is pretty much "classic" and always in demand, and nice pages with large panels devoted to GL don't come cheap, if they become available. Since this was a backup story feature GL from the Flash #226 book, that might have been a reason it didn't sell for more.

While some people say art is art, the storyline and book the art appeared does have some significance in valuing art. Art from key issues will always get a higher realized prices, as compared to something from a not significant story. They are more sought after since collectors not only can associate themselves with certain stories, but also may have attachment to issues they've read. Key issues definitely have storyline historical significance.

Would you pay more for original art that is from a key issue? I think most collectors out there will say 100% yes to that one, unfortunately for those looking to grow their collection. Artwork from more prominent issues will also be easier to sell.